Isle of Man Art News – 26 September 2016

It’s been a while since I ventured further south than the airport – in fact I can pin point it to the fabulous Isle of Man Art Festival back in May organised by the Creative Network – so on Saturday afternoon I scooped up my friend Sarah for a girlie catch up and a pootle down south. Our first port of call was to see Claire Pearse at Grenaby Studios (ELEMENTisle) and despite it being a very blustery day it was good to see that there was a steady stream of customers and visitors. Claire told us that she’s very busy and that her Etsy shop is also doing very well which is fabulous news but not really surprising (if you haven’t seen her work you can check it out here). She’s going to be moving from her present workshop across the yard to the unit being vacated by the very talented Simon Capelen who is off to warmer climes. It’s a more modern unit and warmer and with another Manx winter marching ever closer … well, I would – wouldn’t you?!

After a much needed tea and cake break in Port Erin we headed over to see Eban at Studio 42 in Port St. Mary. I’d planned to go to the Preview of his new show of Sheena Graham-George’s work on Thursday night but there was the small matter of the election and I felt compelled to do my duty and head back to Ramsey after work to vote. The thought of then driving ALL the way to Port St. Mary and then back to Ramsey again was just a bit too much for a Manx girl, hence the reason for going on Saturday. Sheena’s work is lovely and reminded me a bit of some children’s book illustrations I’ve seen along the way (Eban suggested Raymond Briggs’s book ‘The Snowman’ which I think is not far off the mark). There were quite a few dots but some pieces are still available for sale so do pop in for a look. There was a very nice Catherine James watercolour I liked a lot too and Eban has a good collection of work in by a variety of artists so I’d be surprised if you didn’t find something you like.

Eban looked well and was in good spirits and we had a bit of a natter about the exhibition and other work in his Studio. He’s a great supporter of young, emerging talent and has a wall dedicated to Daniel Price’s work. Daniel is starting back at college just now for his final year and it will be great to see how his work develops this year.

Here’s this week’s round-up of what’s a-happening…..

On Wednesday (28th September) this week at 6pm there is a MakeMarket event at the Douglas Market Hall which is an Image and Text workshop by Helen Fox and Usha Kishore which explores the links between text and image. You can bring an image and create a piece of text, such as poem. Or you can bring in a piece of poetry and illustrate it. Alternatively, images and text can be provided for you to work on. Here’s a sample of the sort of material that might be illustrated, or even produced.

Dappled Light

Limpid light, shimmering like silk, poured
into shade, a black bird’s call, an afternoon
dreaming – a strange glow envelops the woods,
scripting time into stone. I want to write
of the first light that shone on earth, when
darkness was upon the face of the deep.
I want to write of the earth bathed in twilight,
of a wayward shade that sinks into the seams
of oceans. Distant hills soar in my thoughts;
a rivulet of verse ebbs and flows, and fire syllables
script my lines across the page: an image,
a vision. I want to write the story of light
that lived, breathed and died with each day.
I want to write the world in dappled light.

On Wednesday 28th Setpember, 6.30pm at The Sayle Gallery, there is an Adult Workshop (age 14+) – Manipulating Movies: “Manipulating a short cycle of film using paint, tearing, sketching etc in order to create a short animation, inspired by Simon Buttimore’s experimental film of the local scenery and people.” The cost for this workshop is £20 per person.

Also at The Sayle on Saturday, 1 October (1pm to 3pm) there is a family workshop ‘Balinese Shadow Puppetry’ inspired by the eclectic collection of Asian artifacts that Simon Buttimore collected throughout his life, and his wonders with other cultures, have a go at some Balinese-inspired shadow puppetry to create a collaborative story performance. The cost is £20 per family.

Jeremy Paul’s exhibition at The Coach House in Guernsey closes on 30th September and he’s sold some fabulous paintings. I don’t think you can ever really tire of seeing Jeremy’s work so I’ve put together a few of my favourite pictures from his recent posts. What can I say – they’re just amazing. Click to view in the Lightbox.

Heat and Dust

Snow Leopard

Flash of Blue

Great Horned Owl

The Hodgson Loom Gallery announced the theme for their open art competition this year is ‘Time’. You can read the details below (click to view).

Dates for your Diary:

On now to 1 October – Hodgson Loom Gallery – Chinese Whispers

On now to 9 October – ‘A Man Apart’ The Life and Work of Simon Buttimore at The Sayle Gallery

And finally, here is my round-up of images chosen from social media this week – enjoy!

Paul Parker

Hebe Atzori

Sue Blythe

Julia Ashby Smyth

Sally Black

Meriel Burden

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